Here's how you can build emotional resilience in social impact work.

First, understanding resilience is crucial. Recognize that resilience is not about being unaffected by challenges but about bouncing back from setbacks and maintaining a positive outlook. Educate yourself on the principles of emotional resilience, such as emotional regulation, stress management, and coping strategies.

It may sound counter-intuitive, but deep humility and curiosity about the work, the people you work with and (most importantly) the people you work to support, are terrific skills to build your own resilience. Stress and adversity are real, but our response to them can be softened when we stay open, commit to lifelong learning, and allow tough moments, interactions, and events to build our wisdom and humility. The more we listen, learn, and self-reflect....as uncomfortable as it can be...the more we become resilient. The more we listen and learn from others....the more we build the resilience of others.

En mi trabajo como directora de un colegio primario me quejaba de falta de recursos y contingencias por ser un colegio que se empezaba a formar pero tuve en cuenta que el poder del lenguaje y cómo el uso de las palabras crean realidades entonces cambié de discurso. Transformé cada problema en una oportunidad y la queja en un comentario positivo. Hasta yo me convencí de lo que decía y todo empezó a cambiar, mi actitud fue otra, pude hasta ver los problemas como desafíos interesantes y así comencé a disfrutar más mi trabajo. Al fin y al cabo estamos contratados para resolver problemas y lograr objetivos.

Also, accept that change is part of life - expect change to happen and focus on new possibilities rather than the difficulties

Construir resiliência emocional no trabalho de impacto social envolve desenvolver práticas de autocuidado, estabelecer limites claros entre vida pessoal e profissional, buscar apoio em redes de colegas e mentores, e adotar uma mentalidade de crescimento para aprender com desafios. É importante reconhecer e celebrar pequenos avanços, manter uma perspectiva positiva e estar aberto a adaptações e mudanças ao longo do caminho.

Under the concept of self-care, I would also add that it is, in fact, sometimes important to focus on some thoughts. If we stop, breathe and do mindfulness (which is all great and helps), but do not tackle particular thoughts, they will keep creeping back. Include structured thinking and problem-solving as part of your self-care routine: focus on what you can change in your environment or thinking; rationalise; keep perspective; do not blow things out of proportion; explore new avenues.

Incorporating self-care rituals into your routine is essential for maintaining emotional resilience. Regular activities such as exercise, meditation, and hobbies can help you recharge and reduce stress. Prioritizing self-care ensures that you have the physical and emotional energy to face the demands of social impact work.

É de extrema importância ter tempo para espairecer a mente, através de exercícios físicos, uma reunião descontraída com amigos e momentos com a família, desta forma você estará mais preparado para encarar de uma maneira mais eficaz as situações adversas do dia a dia do trabalho.

Self-care is essential in social impact work. Establish rituals like regular exercise, healthy eating, and sufficient sleep to promote well-being. Mindfulness practices such as meditation can keep you centered. Remember, self-care isn't selfish; it's necessary to serve others effectively and build a resilient foundation for tough times.

Muitas vezes em meio a loucura do dia a dia de trabalho, e das demandas do mundo corporativo, esquecemos que temos que cuidar do nosso principal material de trabalho, a nossa mente. É preciso saber que para entregar uma boa performance em projetos, e trabalhos, é preciso que o nosso psicológico esteja sendo cuidado, e monitorado com frequência. É importante também entender que cuidar do corpo, muitas vezes tem reflexo direto com o bem estar da mente.

Establishing clear boundaries between work and personal life helps prevent burnout. Learn to say no when necessary and delegate tasks when possible. Setting limits on your availability and workload ensures that you can sustain your efforts over the long term without compromising your well-being.

Set boundaries but also be flexible when necessary. If you have to stay an extra hour late at work, stay. If you don’t and you have something important to finish off, it will stress you out and play on your mind until you’ve completed it.

Numa de minhas experiências, me dedicava 150% a empresa, e aos projetos que me foram dados para gerir. Como eu era praticamente a única pessoa na linha de frente no Facilities, acabava sendo muito assediado por demandas de vários setores, que justificadamente precisavam de suporte, mas que me dava a sensação de nunca ser suficiente para liquidar todas as demandas. Muitas vezes eu entrava pela manhã, e ia até a madrugada. A rotina minou tanto a minha saúde que por um tempo, eu parecia um zumbi, sem dormir, ou comer adequadamente. Gostaria de dizer que nesse período na empresa, eu consegui encontrar ferramentas para resolver, mas só anos depois consegui entender que mesmo no trabalho é preciso ter limites pessoais, e ser fiel a eles.

Connecting with your community provides a support network that can help you navigate the challenges of social impact work. Engage with colleagues, mentors, and peers who understand your mission and can offer advice, encouragement, and a listening ear. A strong community can provide a sense of belonging and shared purpose.

Build on your relationships and connections. At difficult times, it is necessary to accept help and support from those around you as to speak of your concerns as this will strengthen your resilience.

Befriending, communicating, and networking fellow social impact workers have helped ease the burden of working in an emotionally challenging field. As someone who works in the human rights sector, there is a sense of solidarity working in an industry that can be deeply rewarding and mentally draining. Therefore, communication and support from my connections helps to ease feelings of being isolated or overwhelmed.

Regularly reflecting and adapting is vital for emotional resilience. Take time to assess your experiences, learn from setbacks, and adjust your strategies as needed. Reflection helps you gain perspective, identify areas for improvement, and develop a growth mindset that supports resilience.

Building a strong support network is vital for emotional resilience. Connect with peers in social impact work to share experiences and offer mutual support. This community provides emotional backing and helps share coping strategies. Remember, you're not alone; leaning on others gives you the strength to persevere through challenges.

Celebrating progress, no matter how small, is important for maintaining motivation and morale. Acknowledge your achievements and the positive impact of your work. Celebrations can be a powerful reminder of your purpose and the difference you are making, reinforcing your commitment to your mission.

Building emotional resilience in social impact work involves several key strategies. Prioritise self-care by maintaining a healthy work-life balance, engaging in regular physical activity, and practicing mindfulness or meditation. Establish a strong support network with colleagues, mentors, and friends to share experiences and gain perspective. Foster a positive mindset by celebrating small victories and focusing on the progress made. Develop coping strategies, such as journaling or talking to a therapist, to process challenging emotions. Continually educate yourself on resilience techniques and stay connected to the mission to find purpose and motivation.

Finally, consider other factors that might influence your emotional resilience, such as ongoing professional development, accessing mental health resources, and fostering a positive work environment. Staying informed and proactive about your emotional well-being will help you build and sustain resilience in the face of challenges in social impact work.

Have regular reviews with yourself of where you are, on a weekly basis as this will maintain your focus, particularly in stressful situations. Find what works for you and don’t give up quickly if something doesn’t work or is difficult.

I can comment on resilience, because my work is so far too painful to view. I'll drip on it until I'm gone, for my children and yours. Current human sustainability efforts (climate change, pandemic, nuclear, disruptive technologies), if fully controlled, will not make humans sustainable. These efforts will not view what hides in plain sight, as serial killers often do. Earth has hosted forty stationary empires. All are gone, each disassembled and destroyed by only one phenomenon. It's all around us again. It will not permit its detection, let alone be added to the current list. Humans have no natural enemies. Battles we were never meant to fight were long ago monetized. Our executioner is also our employer. Let the silence begin.